Marshall signs his restricted free agent tender

Brandon Marshall avoids Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall has signed his restricted free agency tender.

Schefter went on to tweet that this one year contract worth $2.5 million will make it easier for the Broncos to facilitate a trade. Whether the trade is inevitable or when the trade will take place is not apparent at this time.

KDVR Fox 31’s Josina Anderson reported earlier today that there were a couple of interesting teams in contention for Marshall’s services at this moment.

Denver Post beat writer Lindsay Jones, like Schefter, is immediately calling this a giant step in the move towards trading Marshall away from the Mile High City. As this move allows Denver to officially talk trade with interested teams, emphasizing that there is little chance that he will remain with the Broncos.

In a possibly related note the Broncos are scheduled to meet with a likely first round draft pick, wide receiver Dez Bryant this week according to a Scout.com report. Then as I pointed out in a tweet early this morning, the Broncos are also scheduled to meet with quarterback Tim Tebow.

The Seattle Seahawks are a known interested party, but the Miami Dolphins (who are reportedly interested in getting rid of wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. and possibly even running back Ronnie Brown) also may be interested.

Then there are those, “interesting,” teams…

UPDATE (11:07 PM EST 04/13/10):

ESPN’s John Clayton said on ESPN2, “Something could happen with Brandon Marshall in the next 24 hours.”

So thanks for that ESPN, no, seriously… Thanks.

Either way, the clock is ticking (or is it?).